Police make arrests in connection with Syracuse double homicide

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The Syracuse Police Department has made arrests in connection with a double homicide in the city.

Jose Castro and Arturo Resto Figueroa were shot and killed inside an apartment on the 1100 block of Avery Avenue on September 25.

This week, police arrested Rene DeJesus in New York City. He is charged with first-degree murder, first-degree attempted robbery and criminal possession of a weapon.

Brian Montanez, of Syracuse, was also arrested. He's charged with second-degree murder and attempted robbery.

Police were not immediately called to the scene despite the fact multiple shots were fired.

Police believe the suspects were there to steal drugs and drug money. Several shots were fired during the robbery, but it took a while for anyone to call police.

"So many shots were fired inside the apartment that it caused the fire alarm to go off," said Syracuse Police Chief Frank Fowler. "That caught the attention of people within the building. The fire alarm, not the shots, the fire alarm. However, we weren't summoned to the scene for the fire alarm. We were summoned to the scene later, because associates of one of the victims came to the apartment and discovered them inside the apartment."

The investigation is ongoing, and police want anyone with information to come forward. They can call 315-442-5222 or use the anonymous SPD Tips app.